Swimmer Vladimir Salnikov. Biography, achievements, photo

In the history of sport of high achievements, the role of the personality, the character of the athlete, which develops physical culture, inventing new elements and honing technique, is especially important. Such athletes by inhuman efforts and titanic work make the competitions more spectacular and raise the bar of human capabilities to an incredible height.

Some take off on the pedestal only once and remain one line in the Olympic movement. Others, and their units, from the pedestal to the pedestal, prove that there is no limit to the diamond human spirit and its results. It was this athlete who entered his name in the history of swimming and, becoming a record holder, left the sport undefeated. His name is Vladimir Salnikov, a swimmer. The biography of this famous person will surprise anyone.

How it all began

Vladimir Valerievich was born in the Soviet city of Leningrad. This happened on May 21, 1960. But not this date, he himself considers the main thing in the development of his sports career, and the summer day at a visit to my grandmother, when the seven-year-old boy decided at all costs to learn how to swim, to prove what he is worth, to the village guys who splashed in the river. Already from 1968, he began to study in a swimming pool under the leadership of Petrov Gleb Georgievich. Together with him Salnikov Vladimir persistently trained and became a candidate for master of sports. Freestyle was the main one for a young athlete. By the age of 13 he moved to Koshkin Igor Mikhailovich in a group of stronger children. Again, a challenge, and again overcoming yourself, a long-term non-stop work. Incredible self-feedback and self-discipline led to the fact that Salnikov Vladimir from the "catch-up" in the perspective group broke into the leaders!

Life in sports

A kaleidoscope of further competitions and achievements is difficult to put in one human, sporting life. It was impossible for anyone, but not for Vladimir Salnikov! At 16 years at the Montreal Olympics he took the 5th place. You ask about what is the achievement here, because you did not reach the medals? Is it weak? The result, which Salnikov Vladimir showed at these competitions, became a new record of Europe! From that moment on, the world's competitors did not forget about the Soviet athlete for a minute. And he laid out in the pool and lived from start to start.

World Gold

The first European gold Salnikov Vladimir won in 1977 at a distance of 1.5 km freestyle. From this championship, a coin box of international medals was regularly filled. In the world championship of 1978 Vladimir Salnikov was not stopped. In Berlin, 2 gold (1500 and 400) and 1 silver (in the relay 4 to 200) medals were won.

In 1980, the biography of Vladimir Salnikov flashed at once with triple Olympic gold (1500, 400 and 4 to 200)! Despite the fact that not all athletes came to the Moscow Olympics because of the boycott, the superiority of the Soviet swimmer did not cause any doubt. Proof of the leading position were the international competitions, on which he occupied the first steps of the pedestal, and the world record set at a distance of 1500 m.

The victorious triumph continued at the European Championship in 1981: 2 gold (1500 and 4 to 200) and 1 silver (400). The World Swimming Championships in 1982 turned out to be the same. At the competition was won a silver medal in the relay race and 2 gold in the personal championship (1500 and 400). The European Championships in Rome (1983) were no exception. In the personal piggy bank, the athlete added a couple of gold medals at 1500 and 400 meters freestyle.

Crucial moment

Being in a great sports form, Vladimir Salnikov was preparing for 1984. He planned to successfully perform at the Summer Olympics in the United States and finish a brilliant career. The sports community also predicted victory for him at the "crown" distances of 1500, 400 and in the relay race.

Thunder in the middle of the sky was the decision of the USSR to boycott the American Olympics. The collapse of personal hopes and ambitions, wasted efforts - so the young athlete could think, moving his plans for 4 years ahead, to the next competition.

Vladimir Salnikov was already an "age" swimmer, and to maintain a leadership level of results to 28 years - one hope was not enough. Despite the years and the change of coach (Koshkin's place was taken by Vladimir's wife), it was decided to stay in sport and prepare for the 1988 Olympics.

Testing with water

It is considered that the saying "to pass fire, water and copper pipes" implies the passage of certain tests. Under fiery difficulties are meant battles, battles comparable to competitive battles. Copper pipes in the life of the athlete also was enough: after the Moscow Olympics he was incredibly popular, recognizable, gave interviews and attended a press conference.

And now a new test of water began: time, oblivion, routine. An athlete with titles and regalia was not particularly promising. Diseases and unsuccessful starts in the international arena questioned the desirability of participating in the Summer Olympics.

The second time in one river

About the Olympics in Seoul sports commentators, coaches and swimmers even after many years speak emotionally. A swimmer of this level caused unconditional respect. He was a passing legend, but he was no longer a favorite. Accomplishments and rewards from him were not expected. He believed little and did not at all expect.

The more spectacular was the victory at the most difficult distance of 1.5 km! The stands blew up with an ovation. The first was Vladimir Salnikov (swimmer)! Biography can not fully reflect the level of admiration and general delight that arose after the distance. But the athlete himself always remembered how he was applauded by his colleagues from all over the world in the Olympic dining room. This recognition of achievements was expensive.

The Legend of World Swimming

There are athletes who, taking off on the world pedestal one day, forever leave the starry sky. And there are legendary stayer, who from year to year sharpen sports achievements. Overcoming pain, trauma, illness, fame and disbelief. They leave undefeated, unbroken. Such a great athlete was Vladimir Salnikov. Photos can not convey a hundredth part of the significance of his achievements. Gold letters in the history of the development of world sports are written multiple victories. Four-time Olympic champion. Four-time winner of world championships. Five-time European champion.

Especially significant were the records established by this great athlete. He became the first "emerged" from 15 minutes at a distance of 1500 meters, overcame the most important and qualitative, and psychological milestone, many years not submitting to strong athletes. His record was not beaten for nearly a decade.

Another "eternal dream", which became a reality, was an 8-minute bar in swimming for 800 meters. And she fell under the onslaught of a great athlete in 1978 in Berlin.

Vladimir Salnikov sailed to another level, setting more than 20 records, 13 of them world-class (six at the 400-meter distance, four at the 800-meter distance, and three at the 1500-meter distance). The USSR champion became 20 times. In 1993 he became a member of the World Hall of Swimming Glory. This name is known and respected all over the world!

Life outside the pool

The athlete is realized not only in the sporting field: he graduated (GDOIFK), became a candidate of pedagogical sciences, married Basova Marina Nikolaevna (1957), raised her son Vladimir (1988). He also had a lot of work in the labor field: he was the coach of the national swimming team, the vice-president of the Swimming Federation, he was a member of the Soviet Olympic Committee, he was engaged in business. In 1991 he became a member of the International Swimming Federation. In 2009, Salnikova was elected president of the All-Russian Swimming Federation.

Biography of a great man is legendary. And they made her such a non-natural talent and luck, but incredible perseverance, everyday inhuman work, tremendous purposefulness and a desire to outdo oneself. And every victory is the result of complete dedication.

Only this way you can make a unique, great, legendary!